Team USA ousts France 3-1 — on to World Cup Finals

USA beat a tough France team 3 – 1 and advanced to the World Cup Finals. It will be Team USA’s first appearance in the Finals in 12 years.

The only goal in the first half came from a Heather O’Reilly assist to Lauren Cheney who redirected the pass for a nifty goal.

In the first part of the second half, France dominated play and seemed faster to just about every ball played. Eventually, France’s Sonia Bompastor evened the score at 1 – 1. At one point France held a shots on goal advantage of 18 – 6, with many of these shots being great opportunities for scores.

Alex Morgan

At about the 79 minute mark, Wambach headed in a corner kick in a decisive fashion to give USA a 2 – 1 lead. At about the 82 minute mark, Alex Morgan, the youngest player on USA, chipped in a shot over the French goalie to give USA a 3-1 lead that they held on to the final whistle.

The World Cup Finals are on Sunday.  Watch and see if Team USA can add more famous goals like the 2 shown in the videos below.  Team USA will play the winner of the Japan vs. Sweden game.

Team USA is seeking to become the first women’s team to win the title three times after victories in 1991 and in 1999.

Abby Wambach’s Header Against Brazil

Brandi Chastain Remembers Her Winning World Cup Goal

Soccer on the Seas: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

Thai Military Bank launched a campaign entitled “Make THE Difference,” which included making a film to inspire people to start thinking differently. The film is based on a true story about a 1986 soccer team that lived on a little island in the south of Thailand called Koh Panyee.

Koh Panyee is a floating village in the middle of the sea that doesn’t have an inch of soil. The kids loved to watch football but had no playing field to practice. Did they let that stop them? No. Inspired by the World Cup, they built their own field out of scrap lumber and didn’t let the exposed nails limit their play. Playing on a fast, small surface, the villagers learned to play, and play well. The team established a soccer tradition that continues today for this small village. The Koh Panyee team is one of the most dominant team in the Thai league.

Watch the 5-minute film, developed at Leo Burnett, which features local village kids to tell the stories of the original team members.

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This is how you celebrate a World Cup goal!

When Spain ousted Paraguay in World Cup quarterfinals action, the Spanish announcers hardly played it neutral. Their excitement for Spain’s goal, which resulted in a 1 – 0 victory, is plain to see — even if you don’t understand a word of their language. Spain takes on powerhouse Germany in the semifinals. An all-European final is guaranteed as the Netherlands will take on the winner.

ENJOY THIS VIDEO

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USA Soccer Team and Wimbledon Pair reinforce valuable lesson: Never Quit

The USA soccer team dominated play against Algeria in their World Cup match.  Yet, in the same way that Gilligan and the castaways could never find a way to get off the island, Team USA couldn’t seem to find a way to score. 

Despite some great opportunities, it appeared as if USA would be packing up and heading home after another tied match.  Then, in the 91 minute, Landon Donavan broke through the scoreless tie by pounding in a rebound.  Finally! USA held on for the win.  For the USA team, and soccer fans around the world, the message was clear:  never give up.  Keep attacking the goal and something good might happen.  On this day, for the USA team, it did.

Meanwhile, at Wimbledon, France’s Nicolas Mahut was playing American John Isner in an opening round match.  With both players serving particularly well, the match moved to a 5th and deciding set.  However, after playing over 7 hours in the 5th set, still no winner was determined.  Play was suspended with the score tied at 59 – 59.  Unbelievable.  Somewhere, the person who came up with the tie-breaker concept for tennis must be saying, “I told you so.”  Both players broke the record for number of aces served by one player in a men’s single match. 

In a match this long, there must have been many opportunities for both players to pack it in and accept defeat.  It didn’t happen.  Both never quit.

In the sports world, from soccer to tennis, the games reward those that persevere.

Landon Donavon Interview after the goal

Nike’s “Write the Future” video pays tribute to World Cup

The World Cup Finals begin June 11. The tournament features 32 teams competing for the title at venues within South Africa over a month’s time. Started in 1930, the World Cup Finals has been played every 4 years, except in 1942 and 1946 because of WWII. It is the most widely-viewed sporting event in the world. Some 715 million watched the final game in 2006. In the 18 tournaments played to date, Brazil is the leader with 7 wins. Italy is second with 4 wins and Germany is third with 3 wins.

Nike’s agency Wieden + Kennedy produced the “Write the Future” video in celebration of the World Cup.

NIKE’S “WRITE THE FUTURE” VIDEO

The Well-Prepared Coach Soccer Certificates and Soccer Forms — Includes over 100 award certificate and coach handout printables packaged in a downloadable PDF file that works on PCs and Macs. Easy to use and prints out on 8.5 x 11″ standard paper. From “You’re An All-Star” to “Coolest Coach,” this award certificate maker has lots to choose from. Go to www.coachingwhiz.com

The Heather O’Reilly Interview

Editor’s Note:  Heather O’Reilly plays for the United States women’s national soccer team and is currently a midfielder for Sky Blue FC of Women’s Professional Soccer. Her soccer jersey was retired at the University of North Carolina where she was part of 2 teams that won National Championships.  The New Jersey native was the youngest person on the Olympic team roster in Athens in 2004.  In the semis, she scored a sudden death OT goal against Germany that propelled Team USA into the finals where they won the Gold Medal.

Sports Feel Good Stories caught up with O’Reilly as she was helping promote CooperVision’s Contact Sports program – a program that is teaching teens that healthy vision can help performance both on and off the field.

Sports Feel Good Stories: At what age do you think youth soccer players should specialize on soccer?  Why?  Also, please comment on how much soccer per week is good amount for a 10 year-old?  A 15 year-old?

Heather O’Reilly: I played basketball all through high school as well, so I’m a huge advocate of playing multiple sports because the cross training is good, it’s good to stay fresh and keep your passion for the game.  If you’re serious about trying to play in college or at an elite level, by high school you should be making the commitment to soccer.

For 10-year-olds, two practices and a game per week is a good amount.  For 15-year-olds, at the most 4 practices and a game.

SFGS: How did growing up with 3 brothers help you in your athletic pursuits?

Heather O’Reilly: It toughened me up a little bit, and gave me a lot of self confidence and strength in my self esteem.  They all played soccer, but my whole family was soccer players and track athletes.  My brothers were always good about including me even though I was just the little sister.  They thought it was pretty funny when I could beat their friends in a game of horse or football.

SFGS: As you look at youth soccer in the U.S., what skills do you think players should be placing more of a focus on?

Heather O’Reilly: It’s important to spend time with the ball and be comfortable with your skills.  Youth players sometimes think they should only practice when their team is practicing, but if you want to make it to an elite level, you need to spend a lot more time with just you and the ball, and maybe a wall or the park.  You need to be committed to it.

SFGS: In soccer juggling, what’s the highest count you’ve ever reached?

Heather O’Reilly: I’ve never really counted, but I’m guessing around 200…

SFGS: What is your favorite thing about the sport of soccer?

Heather O’Reilly: My favorite thing about it is that it’s a team sport.  You bring your individual talents to the table, but it’s really neat how an entire team comes together and you can rely on each other to bring the best out of each other.

SFGS: What was more exciting for you:  winning the state high school tournament or winning the Olympic Gold medal the first time or the second time?  Why?

Heather O’Reilly: I’ve been lucky to have won a lot of different tournaments at different levels, each being very memorable.  Obviously playing for your country is amazing, and nothing’s sweeter than playing for the US.

SFGS: Who do you think are the best 3 female soccer players?  The 3 best male soccer players?  Who was your favorite soccer player growing up?

Heather O’Reilly:

Female – current Shannon Boxx, Marta, Abby Wambach

Male – Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi

Favorite growing up was Mia Hamm

SFGS: What’s it like to be an Olympic athlete for the first time?  Looking back, what did you like most about the Olympic experience off the field?

Heather O’Reilly: My favorite memory of the first Olympic Games was eating in the Olympic Village and being with all the athletes from around the world and sharing that time together.  Seeing everybody’s country on the back of their warm-ups and sharing that experience in the Village.

SFGS: What is the secret to successful soccer?

Heather O’Reilly: The secret is to enjoy it and to realize your individual strengths and what makes you different from everyone else.  For me, that was my work ethic and athleticism.  But never lose your passion.

SFGS: If you weren’t a soccer player, what would you be doing?

Heather O’Reilly: I would probably be a teacher – my degree from University of North Carolina was in middle grades education – and I’d probably focus on social studies.

SFGS: What’s the best feel good story in the game of soccer right now?

Heather O’Reilly: The coach of the US men’s team, Bob Bradley, is the father of one of the players on the team, Michael Bradley.  I think it’s neat that they are able to experience that together, but also keeping their professionalism at the same time.

SFGS: What can you tell us about the Cooper Vision program?  How did you get involved?

Heather O’Reilly: I’m working with CooperVision to kick off the Contact Sports program – we’re teaching teens that healthy vision can help your performance both on and off the field.  It’s important to me because when I was in the 7th grade, I found myself scooting my chair closer and closer to the front of the room so I could see better.  My teacher suggested I go to the eye doctor, and I immediately saw a difference on the field with contacts.  For the first time I could see things I never knew you were able to see – like spin on the ball and the expressions on my teammate’s faces.

What we’re doing is helping teens across the country get the gear they need.  If you visit www.mycontactsports.com  you can find out about the 10, $2,500 grants we’re giving away.  We’ll award deserving teams and athletes with grants to help them get the gear they need – everything from soccer balls to new equipment to free contact lenses.

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The Well-Prepared Coach Soccer Certificates and Soccer Forms — Includes over 100 award certificate and coach handout printables packaged in a downloadable PDF file that works on PCs and Macs. Easy to use and prints out on 8.5 x 11″ standard paper. From “You’re An All-Star” to “Coolest Coach,” this award certificate maker has lots to choose from. Go to www.coachingwhiz.com

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